POLICY 39

THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTES, PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS WASTES, WITHIN COASTAL AREAS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SUCH A MANNER SO AS TO PROTECT GROUNDWATER AND SURFACE WATER SUPPLIES, SIGNIFICANT FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS, RECREATION AREAS, IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LAND, AND SCENIC RESOURCES.

Explanation of Policy

The definitions of terms "solid wastes" and "solid waste management facilities" are taken from New York's Solid Waste Management Act (Environmental Conservation Law, Article 27). Solid wastes include sludges from air or water pollution control facilities, demolition and construction debris and industrial and commercial wastes.

Hazardous wastes are unwanted by-products of manufacturing processes and are generally characterized as being flammable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic. More specifically, hazardous waste is defined in Environmental Conservation Law (Section 27-0901[3]), as "waste or combination of wastes which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may: (1) cause, or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness; or (2) pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, disposed, transported or otherwise managed." A list of hazardous wastes (NYCRR Part 366) will be adopted by DEC within 6 months after EPA formally adopts its list.

Examples of solid waste management facilities include resource recovery facilities, sanitary landfills and solid waste reduction facilities. Although a fundamental problem associated with the disposal and treatment of solid wastes is the contamination of water resources, other related problems may include: filling of wetlands and littoral areas, atmospheric loading, and degradation of scenic resources.